TWI501703B - Electric heater - Google Patents

Description

electric heater

The present invention relates to an electric heater.

Electric heaters are popular in both indoor and outdoor environments because they are easy to handle and, unlike other heaters, typically do not emit large amounts of fumes or emissions that can be harmful to those in the vicinity of the heater.

The quartz element heater may be suitable in situations where rapid heating is required in an outdoor environment where the temperature has dropped. One of the disadvantages of conventional quartz element heaters is that they tend to be in close proximity to the heater to create a relatively small concentrated heat region. The intensity of heat often causes discomfort to people close to the heater. In addition, the heat and glare generated by such quartz elements generally cause rough skin and dry eyes of a person close to the heater.

There is an outdoor heater that uses a quartz element as a heat source but uses a parabolic reflector positioned behind the quartz element to direct heat. While this reduces the heating effect on the back side of the reflector, the shape of the parabolic reflector also creates a relatively small and concentrated hot zone that can negatively affect the person approaching the heater in the area just in front of the heater.

In addition, the effectiveness of such heaters is typically limited to a region that is relatively close to the heater and is located within a narrow angle field of view.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an electric heater that improves one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art described above or provides a useful alternative to the prior art.

Any reference to prior art herein does not constitute and should not be considered as an endorsement or implied claim that the prior art is any particular individual or any This is part of the common general knowledge known to the person or class, or prior art at any of the priority dates of any claim in this document.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an electric heater is provided comprising: an electrical connector for connection to a current supply; a heater element adapted to be electrically connected to the connector for Enabling current from the current supply when the supply is connected to the electrical connector, and when so enabled, emitting electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength; at least one reflector adjacent to the heater element And adapted to reflect electromagnetic radiation emitted from the element to direct the reflected electromagnetic radiation in at least one heating direction; and a cover adjacent to the heater element, the cover having a first side and the first side a second side opposite, wherein the cover is positioned such that the heater element is disposed between the first side and the at least one reflector, and such that the first side is incident from the heater element directly At least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation intersects incident electromagnetic radiation reflected by the reflector in the at least one heating direction, the cover being adapted to re-emit the first portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation from the second side So that the re-emitted by the electromagnetic radiation having a second wavelength different from the wavelength of the first one.

In a preferred embodiment, the first portion is between the incident electromagnetic radiation One is generally in the range of 1% to 40%. Preferably, the first portion is in a range from 15% to 25% of the total of the incident electromagnetic radiation. More preferably, the first portion is substantially 20% of the total of one of the incident electromagnetic radiation.

In a preferred embodiment, the first wavelength is in the range of 0.8 microns to 5.5 microns. Also according to a preferred embodiment, the first wavelength is substantially 4.3 microns.

In a preferred embodiment, the second wavelength is greater than the first wavelength.

In a preferred embodiment, the second wavelength is in the range from 1.3 microns to 9.0 microns. Preferably, the second wavelength is in the range from 5.5 microns to 7.0 microns. More preferably, the second wavelength is substantially 6.1 microns.

In a preferred embodiment, the cover defines a first side and a second side that respectively pass to the cover and is adapted to allow a second portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation to pass through the plurality of apertures of the cover.

Preferably, the cover extends over a total cover area and the apertures form part of the total area that is between 60% and 99% of the total cover area.

More preferably, the portion of the total area is in the range of from 75% to 85% of the total cover area.

Even more preferably, the portion is substantially 80% of the total cover area.

In a preferred embodiment, the shapes of the apertures are selected from at least one of a circle, an oval, a triangle, a hexagon, and a square shape.

In a preferred embodiment, the cover is substantially of conductivity and emissivity having a temperature that allows the cover to withstand temperatures in the range of from 400 ° C to 800 ° C. A metal composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the electric heater includes a housing that houses the reflector and the heater element, the housing defining an open front end, wherein the cover extends over the open front end.

In a preferred embodiment, the heater element comprises at least one of a heating wire, a metal sheath type component, a quartz type heating component, and a halogen gas heating lamp.

In a preferred embodiment, the reflective system is elongated and has a reflective surface along at least one of a substantially parabolic and substantially flat profile along its length.

In a preferred embodiment, the cover is elongated and has a profile along its length that is substantially at least one of a paraboloid and a substantially flat shape.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of determining the heating performance characteristics of an electric heater, the method comprising the steps of: A. providing an electric heater comprising: an electrical connector, For connecting to a current supply; a heater element adapted to be electrically connected to the connector for enabling current from the current supply when the supply is connected to the electrical connector, and as such Actuating to emit electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength; at least one reflector adjacent to the heater element and adapted to reflect electromagnetic radiation emitted from the element to direct the reflected electromagnetic radiation in at least one heating direction; And a cover adjacent to the heater element, the cover having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the cover is positioned such that the heater element is disposed on the first side The at least one reflector And wherein the cover is adapted from at least a portion of incident electromagnetic radiation emitted directly from the heater element and incident electromagnetic radiation reflected by the reflector in the at least one heating direction Re-emitting the first portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation such that the re-emitted electromagnetic radiation has a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, the cover defining each of the first side and the second of the cover Side and adapted to allow a second portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation to pass through the plurality of apertures of the cover; B. determine a desired heating characteristic of the heater; and C determine a total of the cover formed by the apertures The ratio of the zones is such that the desired heating characteristics are achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, step C includes determining the ratio of the total cover area comprised of the apertures to be in the range of 60% to 99% of the total cover area.

Preferably, step C comprises determining the ratio of the total cover area comprised of the apertures to be in the range of 75% to 85% of the total cover area.

More preferably, step C comprises determining the ratio of the total cover area comprised of the apertures to be substantially 80% of the total cover area.

In a preferred embodiment, in step A, the pores are selected from at least one of a circle, an oval, a triangle, a hexagon, and a square shape.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the electric heater 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an elongated Tubular quartz heater element 12. The heater 10 includes an electrical connector 14 (shown schematically as an imaginary line) that is adapted for connection to a power supply (not shown).

The heater element 12 is electrically connected to the electrical connector 14 for powering, and thus receives a current source when the electrical connector is connected to the power supply.

While two heater elements 12 are shown, it should be understood that any suitable number of heater elements can be used instead, ranging from one to two or more. Additionally, although the heater element 12 is a quartz element, other suitable types of elements may alternatively be used. For example, the component may comprise a heating wire, a metal sheath type element, a quartz type heating element, and a heat lamp using a halogen gas.

Adjacent to the heat emitting element 12 is a reflector 16. The reflector 16 is elongated and has a substantially parabolic profile along its length.

The heat emitting element 12 and the reflector 16 are positioned within a housing 18. Various brackets 20 are provided for removably mounting the electric heater 10, for example, on a wall or to a ceiling (not shown).

The heater element 12 is fixed in position relative to the outer casing 18 by the component carrier 24.

A cover 26 placed over the outer casing 18 and thus covering the heater element 12 and the reflector 16 is provided. The cover 26 has a first surface 26.1 and an opposite second surface 26.2, wherein the heater element 12 is disposed between the first surface and the reflector 16.

The cover 26 has an aperture 28 extending through the cover for access to the first surface 26.1 and the second surface 26.2.

As explained in greater detail with respect to Figures 2a through 3f, the cover 26 can be made from several different suitable materials.

As shown, the cover 26 is elongated and the profile viewed along the length of the cover can be substantially flat or parabolic.

As discussed further below, the apertures 28 in the cover 26 can comprise several shapes of oval, circular, hexagonal, triangular, and square.

In operation, the electrical connector 14 is connected to a power supply (not shown) that provides current to the heater element 12 for the heating element.

As the heater element 12 heats up, it emits electromagnetic radiation 30 having a first wavelength (hereinafter referred to as emitted radiation). The emitted radiation 30 is emitted in all directions, but in particular radiated outward from the heater element 12.

Most of the emitted radiation 30 is emitted from the heater element 12 toward the cover 26 and toward the reflector 16.

The emitted radiation 30 emitted toward the cover 26 constitutes incident electromagnetic radiation that intersects the area spanned by the cover.

The emitted radiation 30 directed toward the reflector 16 is reflected as reflected electromagnetic radiation 32 having substantially the same wavelength as the wavelength of the emitted radiation 30 (i.e., the first radiation).

Due to the parabolic shape of the reflector, the reflector 16 directs the reflected radiation 32 along a direction of heating indicated by arrow 34. Thus, the reflected radiation 32 is directed through the heater element 12 toward the cover 26, where it also constitutes incident electromagnetic radiation that intersects the area spanned by the cover.

If incident electromagnetic radiation intersects a region spanned by the cover 26 at a location where the aperture 28 is positioned, the incident electromagnetic radiation can simply pass through the aperture. Other incident electromagnetic radiation that does not pass through the aperture at the same time is absorbed into the material of the cover.

As mentioned above, the emitted radiation 30 from the heater element 12 and the reflected radiation 32 from the reflector 16 each have a first wavelength.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first wavelength is in the range from 0.8 microns to 5.5 microns and is substantially 4.3 microns in one particular form of this embodiment. Generally, the wavelength of such electromagnetic radiation varies with the temperature of the other radiation source (e.g., component 12). The wavelength range from 0.8 microns to 5.5 microns corresponds to one of the heat source temperatures ranging from about 300 °C to 900 °C. One wavelength of about 4.3 microns corresponds to a temperature of about 400 ° C to 500 ° C of the heating element 12 .

The portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation 30, 32 that passes through the aperture 28 remains substantially unaltered by the cover 26 such that the wavelength of the radiation remains at 4.3 microns as it passes through the cover in accordance with the particular embodiment mentioned above.

However, incident electromagnetic radiation 30, 32 that does not pass through aperture 28 is substantially re-emitted by cover 26 as re-emitted radiation 36.

The process of the cover 26 material and the incident electromagnetic radiation 30, 32 being absorbed and re-emitted by the cover results in re-emitted radiation 36 having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength of the incident radiation. Cover 26 preferably has a dark color which is preferably black. While other colors will suffice for the re-emission of incident electromagnetic radiation 30, 32 and can therefore be used, dark or black color should help achieve a higher level of re-emission efficiency.

According to a preferred embodiment, the second wavelength is in the range of 1.3 microns to 9.0 microns. According to a more specific form of this embodiment, the second wavelength is in the range of 5.5 microns to 7.0 microns. According to one of the embodiments Even in a more specific form, the second wavelength is substantially 6.1 microns.

The range of wavelengths from 1.3 microns to 9.0 microns corresponds to a temperature of one of the heat sources (e.g., cover 26) of about 50 ° C to 450 ° C, whereas the wavelength of 6.1 microns corresponds to a temperature of about 150 ° C to 200 ° C of the source of radiation.

In other embodiments, the first and second wavelengths may be different than the specific values mentioned above. In fact, one of the factors that can affect the wavelength of incident radiation 30, 32 and re-emitted radiation 36 is the nature and configuration of heater element 12. Although the specific values of the first and second wavelengths may be different, an important feature of the present invention is that in each particular embodiment, the first and second wavelengths are different from each other, wherein the second wavelength is preferably greater than the first wavelength.

Another important feature that determines the wavelength at which the heater 10 is designed is the desired operating range for the temperature of the heater. One of the larger wattage heaters intended for larger heating effects has larger power components that can generate more heat than the less powerful components, and because the wavelength typically varies with the temperature of the heat source, this large heat will cause Shorter wavelength. The opposite is also true.

The electromagnetic radiation emanating from the second side 26.2 of the cover 26 consists essentially of the portion of the incident radiation 30, 32 passing through the aperture 28 and the re-emitted radiation 36. This combination is collectively referred to below as heater radiation (generally referred to as 38).

It will be appreciated that the ratio of heater radiation 38 having a first wavelength and the ratio of heater radiation having a second wavelength can be determined by the ratio of the overall area of cover 26 formed by apertures 28. The larger the area of the region formed by the apertures 28 relative to the cover 26, the more incident electromagnetic radiation 30, 32 will be allowed to pass through the wavelength of the radiation (i.e., the first wavelength) without being affected by the cover. cover. Similarly, this will also result in a smaller percentage of incident electromagnetic radiation 30, 32. The cover 26 and thus the cover are absorbed and re-emitted as re-emitted radiation 32 of the second wavelength.

In effect, the percentage of the area of the cover 26 formed by the apertures 28 is proportional to the amount of electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength that is emitted from the cover 26 as part of the heater radiation 38 relative to the heater radiation as a whole.

For example, according to a preferred embodiment, a given percentage increase in one of the integral regions of the cover 26 formed by the apertures 28 will result in electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength emitted from the cover 26 relative to the heater radiation 38 as a whole. One of the quantities is similar to a percentage increase.

It has been found that, according to a preferred embodiment, the desired heating effect of the electric heater 10 is achieved when 75% to 85% of the overall area of the cover 26 is formed by the apertures 28.

In fact, according to a preferred embodiment, the ratio of incident electromagnetic radiation 30, 32 that is allowed to pass through aperture 28 and thus maintain its first wavelength is in the range of about 75% to 85% (preferably 80 %), however, the ratio of incident electromagnetic radiation that does not pass through the apertures and is effectively absorbed by the cover 26 and re-emitted as re-emitted radiation 36 having a second wavelength is in the range of about 15% to 25% (compared to Good land is 20%).

Re-emitted radiation 36 having a longer second wavelength (e.g., 6.1 microns) and thus having a lower frequency has been found to produce a less intense heat near the cover 26 than a shorter first wavelength (e.g., 4.3 microns). This is where the person is likely to be positioned to heat by the heater 10.

Conversely, it has been found that re-emitted radiation 36 having a longer second wavelength has one of the larger wavelengths of the shorter first wavelength at a distance from one of the heaters 10. Heating effect.

In light of the above, it will be appreciated that when the heater 10 (or one of its types of heaters) is being designed, the total area of the cover 26 formed by the apertures 28 can be determined to achieve the desired heating characteristics of the heater.

The area that can be effectively heated by the electric heater 10 is affected not only by the proportion of the overall area of the cover 26 formed by the apertures 28, but also by the shape of the cover. While it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many different shapes are suitable, it has been found that one of the substantially flat or parabolic shaped covers 26 promotes the desired reflection and refraction of energy.

Although the parabolic cross-sectional shape of the reflector 16 can cause electromagnetic radiation to be reflected toward the cover 26 in the direction of arrow 34, in a preferred embodiment, the cover is at an angle wider than the angle of the incident radiation due to its shape ( For example 120 degrees) a portion of the incident radiation is re-emitted as re-emitted radiation 38 to effectively disperse the electromagnetic radiation, thereby providing heat to a region that is larger than the angle of the incident radiation if the angle is limited to the incident radiation .

Due to the combination of the wavelength of the incident radiation (consisting of the emitted radiation 30 and the reflected radiation 32) and the features of the cover 26, at least in the preferred embodiment, achievable compared to the achievable feature in the absence of such features One of the regions that are effectively heated by the electric heater 10 has a larger overall length and width.

In addition, by allowing only a portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation 30, 32 having a shorter wavelength to pass directly through the apertures 28 from the heater element 12 and the reflector 16, the cover 26 helps to reduce the heated zone just in front of the heater 10. The intensity of the heating effect.

As explained above, according to a preferred embodiment, the incident is absorbed by the cover 26. The remainder of the electromagnetic radiation 30, 32 is not lost, but is effectively re-emitted from the cover at an angle wider than the incident radiation as re-emitted radiation 36 having a longer wavelength, and this results in a wider and longer heated region.

The substantially uniform distribution of one of the apertures 28 across the cover 26 can help provide a uniform heating effect by the electric heater 10.

Additionally, the presence of cover 26 (where only a portion of it is comprised of apertures 28) helps to reduce the effects of glare from heater element 12 on individuals positioned adjacent to electric heater 10.

Referring to Figures 2a through 2f, representations of electric heater 10 and cover 26 in accordance with other embodiments are shown.

In Figures 2a through 2f, an embodiment of a cover 26 that is curved so that the profile is substantially parabolic is shown.

In the embodiment of Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, the apertures 28 are oval or elliptical.

In the embodiment of Figure 2d, the apertures 28 are circular.

In the embodiment of Figure 2e, the apertures 28 are hexagonal.

In the embodiment of Figure 2f, the apertures 50 are square.

In Figures 3a to 3f, an embodiment of a flat cover 26 is shown.

In the embodiment of Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, the apertures 28 are oval or elliptical.

In the embodiment of Figure 3d, the apertures 28 are circular.

In the embodiment of Figure 3e, the apertures 28 are hexagonal.

In the embodiment of Figure 3f, the apertures 28 are square.

Although the invention has been described above with respect to preferred embodiments, it is familiar with the art. The surgeon will understand that it is not limited to the embodiments and can be embodied in many other forms.

10‧‧‧heater/electric heater

12‧‧‧ elongated tubular quartz heater element / heater element / thermal emission element / thermal emission element / element / heating element

14‧‧‧Electrical connector

16‧‧‧ reflector

18‧‧‧Shell

20‧‧‧ bracket

24‧‧‧Component bracket

26‧‧‧Cover/heater cover

26.1‧‧‧ first surface

26.2‧‧‧Second surface/second side

28‧‧‧ pores

30‧‧‧Electromagnetic radiation/transmitted radiation/incident radiation/incident electromagnetic radiation

32‧‧‧Reflected electromagnetic radiation / reflected radiation / re-emitted radiation / incident radiation / incident electromagnetic radiation

34‧‧‧heat direction

36‧‧‧Re-emitted radiation

38‧‧‧Re-emitted radiation/heater radiation

1 is an exploded perspective view of an electric heater according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2a is a front view of one of the heaters of FIG. 1; FIG. 2b is a perspective view of one of the heaters of FIG. 1; 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the heaters of FIG. 1; FIG. 2d is a front view of one of the electric heaters according to still another embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2e is an electric heater according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2f is a front elevational view of one of the electric heaters in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2g is a schematic view of one of the heaters of Figure 1; Figure 3a is another embodiment of the present invention Figure 3b is a perspective view of one of the heaters of Figure 3a; Figure 3c is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the heaters of Figure 3a; Figure 3d is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention A front view of one of the electric heaters; FIG. 3e is a front view of one of the electric heaters according to still another embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 3f is a front view of one of the electric heaters according to still another embodiment of the present invention Figure.

10‧‧‧heater/electric heater

12‧‧‧ elongated tubular quartz heater element / heater element / thermal emission element / thermal emission element / element / heating element

14‧‧‧Electrical connector

16‧‧‧ reflector

18‧‧‧Shell

20‧‧‧ bracket

24‧‧‧Component bracket

26‧‧‧Cover/heater cover

28‧‧‧ pores

Claims (25)

An electric heater comprising: an electrical connector for connection to a current supply; a heater element adapted to be electrically connected to the connector for connection to the electrical connector by the supply Current from the current supply is enabled, and when so enabled, emits electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength; at least one reflector adjacent to the heater element and adapted to reflect electromagnetic emissions emitted from the element Radiation to direct the reflected electromagnetic radiation in at least one heating direction; and a cover adjacent to the heater element, the cover having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the cover Positioning such that the heater element is disposed between the first side and the at least one reflector, and such that the first side is caused by at least a portion of incident electromagnetic radiation emitted directly from the heater element and by the reflector The at least one incident electromagnetic radiation reflected by the heating direction intersects, the cover being adapted to re-emit a first portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation from the second side such that the re-emitted electromagnetic radiation has With one of the first wavelength to the second wavelength. The electric heater of claim 1, wherein the first portion is in a range from 1% to 40% of the total of the incident electromagnetic radiation. The electric heater of claim 2, wherein the first portion is in a range from 15% to 25% of the total of the incident electromagnetic radiation. An electric heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion is the incident electromagnetic One of the total radiation is substantially 20%. The electric heater of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first wavelength is in a range from 0.8 micron to 5.5 micron. The electric heater of claim 5, wherein the first wavelength is substantially 4.3 microns. The electric heater of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second wavelength is greater than the first wavelength. The electric heater of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second wavelength is in a range from 1.3 micrometers to 9.0 micrometers. The electric heater of claim 8, wherein the second wavelength is in a range from 5.5 microns to 7.0 microns. The electric heater of claim 9, wherein the second wavelength is substantially 6.1 microns. The electric heater of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover defines a first side and a second side that are respectively connected to the cover and adapted to allow passage of a second portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation The plurality of pores of the cover. The electric heater of claim 11, wherein the cover extends over a total cover area, and wherein the apertures form part of the total area, the portion of the total area being between 60% and 99 of the total cover area In the range of %. The electric heater of claim 12, wherein the portion of the total area is in the range of 75% to 85% of the total cover area. The electric heater of claim 13 wherein the portion of the total area is substantially 80% of the total cover area. An electric heater according to claim 11, wherein the shape of the pores is selected from a circle At least one of a shape, an oval, a triangle, a hexagon, and a square shape. The electric heater of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover is substantially one of a metal having conductivity and emissivity that enables the cover to withstand a temperature in a range from 400 ° C to 800 ° C Composition. An electric heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising an outer casing accommodating the reflector and the heater element, the outer casing defining an open front end, wherein the cover extends above the open front end. The electric heater of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heater element comprises at least one of a heating wire, a metal sheath type element, a quartz type heating element, and a halogen gas heating lamp. The electric heater of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reflective system is elongated and has a reflective surface along at least one of a substantially parabolic and substantially flat profile along its length. The electric heater of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover is elongated and at least one of a substantially parabolic and substantially flat profile along its length. A method of determining the heating performance characteristics of an electric heater, the method comprising the steps of: 21.1 providing an electric heater comprising: an electrical connector for connecting to a current supply; a heater element Adapted to be electrically connected to the connector for enabling current from the current supply when the supply is connected to the electrical connector, and emitting electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength when so enabled At least one reflector, Adjacent to the heater element and adapted to reflect electromagnetic radiation emitted from the element to direct the reflected electromagnetic radiation in at least one heating direction; and a cover adjacent to the heater element, the cover having a first a side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the cover is positioned such that the heater element is disposed between the first side and the at least one reflector, and wherein the first side is directly At least a portion of incident electromagnetic radiation emitted by the heater element intersects incident electromagnetic radiation reflected by the reflector in the at least one heating direction, the cover being adapted to re-emit one of the incident electromagnetic radiation from the second side So that the re-emitted electromagnetic radiation has a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, the cover definitions each leading to the first side and the second side of the cover and adapted to allow the incident electromagnetic radiation a second portion passes through a plurality of apertures of the cover; 21.2 determines a desired heating characteristic of the heater; and 21.3 determines a ratio of a total area of the cover formed by the apertures to achieve the Desired heating characteristics. The method of claim 21, wherein the step 21.3 comprises determining the ratio of the total cover area comprised of the apertures to be in the range of 60% to 99% of the total cover area. The method of claim 21, wherein the step 21.3 comprises determining the ratio of the total cover area comprised of the apertures to be in the range of 75% to 85% of the total cover area. The method of claim 21, wherein the step 21.3 comprises determining a ratio of the total cover area comprised of the apertures to be substantially 80% of the total cover area. The method of any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein in step 21.1, the pores are selected from at least one of a circle, an oval, a triangle, a hexagon, and a square shape.